Rebels grind out the win against Byron

HIGH FLYING: The Rebels grind out another win against Byron Bay last Saturday. Contributed

SPIRITS were high last Saturday afternoon as Bangalow Rugby tasted success in both grades.

The scene was set for some great rugby with the weather gods really doing their part and a great crowd filing the hill at Bangalow Sports Fields.

Reserve grade went into the match against Murwillumbah on the back of a winless season but the feeling over the last few weeks is that a win was only round the corner.

After a slow start and with Murwillumbah getting a couple of soft tries, things were looking shaky but Bangalow were confident of turning things around.

Simon Leighton and & Terry White softened the opposition up during the first half and when their replacements came on later the game turned in Bangalow's favour.

A nice early try kept Bangalow in the game and when the Hill brothers combined for a great try under the posts it was game on as Bangalow trailed by only one.

With little time on the clock Bangalow were awarded a penalty but the kick went wide and a miracle was needed.

The miracle came in the form of Brian "Davo" Davison, after terrorising the opposition all day Ben Farrow took off down the blind, a couple of jinks and a swerve or two later he found veteran Davo flying up the wing in support.

The pass was good, the catch was better and in a Lomu like stampede Davo trampled his way to the tryline to snatch Reserves Grade's first victory this year.

First grade was the local grudge match between the Rebels and Byron Bay and it lived up to expectations with a close, hard fought game.

Byron Bay have proved a surprise packet in first grade this year with oppositions not really knowing how to play against the rag tag team that lacks any real structure.

The Rebels however are well versed in this style and set about the same game plan that took Byron apart in round one.

The first half was an arm wrestle with the only points coming from two penalty conversions to the Rebels.

They took the 6 - 0 lead into the break knowing they had the better of the Bay but lacking the finesse needed to put them away.

The Rebels came out in the second half with the same composure and just ground away frustrating Byron as they threw it around hoping for a miracle.

Dane Mitchell found the line for the Rebels which was a just rewards for his efforts.

The Bay also found the line but their excitement was short lived when it became apparent that this was not enough to break the Rebels spirits.

Finally, another penalty to the Rebels saw them seal a great 16-5 win in front of the local crowd.

With positions tight around the middle of the ladder, the Rebels will have to continue to build on their performance to secure a spot in the semi-finals.